[Poker] is the most magnificent competition in which a human being can indulge. It brings out all that is best and it removes all that is base. Americans pride themselves on being He Men and they ARE He Men. Remember that the enemy is just as frightened as you are, and probably more so. They are not supermen....

...[Poker] is a bloody, killing business. You've got to [win their chips, or they will [win] yours. [Raise] them up the belly. [Bluff] them in the guts. When [cards] are hitting all around you and you wipe the dirt off your face and realize that instead of dirt it's the [folded cards] of what once was your best friend beside you, you'll know what to do!" ...

...There is one great thing that you men will all be able to say after this [game] is over and you are home once again. You may be thankful that twenty years from now when you are sitting by the fireplace with your grandson on your knee and he asks you what you did in the great [poker game of June 26, 2003], you WON'T have to cough, shift him to the other knee and say, "Well, your Granddaddy shoveled shit in Louisiana." No, Sir, you can look him straight in the eye and say, "Son, your Granddaddy [played in Richmond with that] Son-of-a-Goddamned-Bitch named [Adam Moore]!"

Poker last night turned profitable for yours truly. The big hands at the beginning put me deep into the hole. I blame the Thai food for slowly my judgment. Of course, after just 90 minutes of playing two people were down so much more than me, they wanted to buy in an extra five dollars. We voted and allowed it, but not without some debate. No one should lose a lot of money to us. Of course, one of the big losers tonight had made over 15 dollars in the previous two matches, so I did not feel bad about liberating his money.

There was not a single game that made my night, so don't expect any great description here (Not that the previous description was anything special). I was once dealt a royal straight in five card draw. With only two rounds of betting, the pot was not exceptionally large, but taking zero cards also may be the only way that bluffing could work in five card. Some people did go out when I took nothing. It was pretty sweet, but that also decreased the pot. There were six rounds of hold 'em or something. I did not fare well, but I also did not have it drive me from the game, so I cannot complain that I did not understand. The big Iron Cross and Pyramid games also helped me out. When people have no way to figure out the odds because the game is so complex, they bet more. You have to imagine the scene where those still in the game will all just lay down our hand and say, "Hmmm, what do I have, Lyle? Do I win?" Anyways, tonight tended to be the one night where that worked well for me.

And I have nothing against winning because of luck. So, end of the night for the five players, we had Lyle as the undisputed champ with winning around 16 dollars, me with a healthy 14 dollar profit, and everyone else in various stages of losing. The total pot for the night had been 70, and with Lyle and I taking a total of 50 dollars out of the pot, you can see that everyone else went home less than happy. Bill went out with 7.50 to his name...which means that the other three people got to split 12.50, if you know what I am saying. (They lost a lot!).

So, for the record, I was down five, up .70, and up 14. That leaves me with an average earning of $3.23(3333...). Since we normally play for three hours, I am earning a little more than a dollar per hour. Even if I had lost 10 dollars each week, I would only be losing money at the rate of about three dollars an hour... Lyle believes that this low stakes prevents bluffing from having the desired effect when you have six people. People are going to stay in because it only costs then an extra 25 cents to see what you are holding. Some hands do end with everyone folding but one person, but somewhat rarely. I'll keep you updated if I think our group behavior begins to change.

And now, time to work!